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NBA Coin Flip- From 1966 through 1984 the NBA held a coin flip between the teams with the worst record in each conference or division (when there was no conference) to determine which team would choose first in the NBA draft.

This system lasted until the NBA's first lottery was held in 1985. The reamining teams picked in inverse order of their won-lost records. The team with the worst record between the two would yell out heads or tails as the NBA's Commissioner would flip it in the air.

Imagine this. You're NBA draft eligible as a graduating senior or you've declared for early entry. In years past, through the long practices, backyard shooting and playground battles, you kept on dreaming big in anticipation of the big day. Now it's finally here, draft night, and you’re riding an emotional roller coaster. One by one the draftees are announced, but you’re still anxiously waiting in the ranks for your name to be called. Then comes the doubled-edged sword. You're in with the final pick, the "Last Man Standing".

Information on the early years of the NBA Draft is quite limited. We pretty much know the basics - which players were picked. But it’s unclear, specifically in years 1952-1956, what order each player was selected. Throughout the draft’s 50+ years (of known order of selection) there have only been six final picks that ever had the opportunity to actually play in a NBA game.

Roland West

One of the earliest known Last Men was Roland West, drafted by the Baltimore Bullets in the twentieth round (162nd overall) of the 1967 NBA draft. He had quite the reputation as University of Cincinnati's top defensive player. West had a quiet but effective career, earning All Conference in the Missouri Valley. He then went on to a short, four game stint with the NBA during his one and only season with the Bullets. West is President and CEO of Roland D. West & Associates, a management consulting firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

In the early 1980's neither of these next men went on to actually play in the NBA, but to deny them a place on this list of Last Man Standing would dishonor their memory and courage.

Landon Turner was who most on the Indiana Hoosiers team (‘79-’81) would call Coach Knight's whipping boy. Bobby Knight constantly tested not only this thriving athlete's toughness, but also at times, his very manhood. Turner's athleticism and

Landon Turner

incredible development as one of college’s premier basketball powerhouses all but sealed his probable first round destiny. Unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned. After the 1981 championship game, as Turner drove down a stretch of road in Indiana, his car veered off the shoulder. Turner quickly whipped the steering wheel back, but was too late. The car flipped violently, crushing Turner’s spinal cord. As a result, he was dealt with permanent paralysis that has bound him to his wheelchair for the rest of his life. Knight, ever so the solider, aided Turner by organizing exhibition games to raise money for the Landon Turner Trust Fund. Along with various alumni, including NBA great Isaiah Thomas, $490,000 was raised to aid Turner’s dependent lifestyle. But Knight's support didn't end there. Through his efforts, he arranged for Boston Celtic's Red Auerbach to take Landon Turner with the last draft pick. Although Turner remains paralyzed his spirit does not.

Dan Trant

Dan Trant may not have been as polished a ballplayer, but none has truly paid the price as an American. On September 11, 2001, Trant's company, Cantor Fitzgerald, located on the 101st floor of the World Trade Center Tower 1, was struck by one of the two terrorist-hijacked airliners. Trant left a basketball legacy as two time All American Division III and Clark's third all time leading scorer, acclaimed by many to be one of the finest schoolboy legends in the New England area. The game never left him, as he coached youth ball during his last ten years while living in Long Island. His wife and their three children survive Trant.

For a twenty-three year stretch, no Last Man Standing had contributed anything to a NBA team other than having his name listed as a draftee. In 1990, Sean Higgins changed that in a big way. While in high school, Higgins was all everything - McDonald's All American, Parade Magazine Nominee, and Streets & Smith's Top 20, but despite all the positive hype, Higgins also had drama. He originally signed a Letter of Intent with UCLA, but later, in a story that some Hollywood screenwriters have yet to concoct, Higgins explained that he signed only after his stepfather brandished a baseball bat, threatening to strike the young prodigy if he didn't sign with UCLA. Later in his senior year, the Collegiate Commissioners Association ruled that the letter of intent was null and void due to the fact that Higgins had signed under duress. While at Michigan, Higgins was enigmatic and streaky - one game you’d see a future NBA All Star, the next, a struggling unconfident player. Despite not performing up to the expectations of many scouts and GM's before the start of his junior season, Higgins still decided to go for the NBA draft against

Europe has slowly gained ground in the NBA

better judgment. In the end, this poor decision probably cost him the guaranteed millions that most first rounders enjoy. During his 6 seasons with the NBA, Higgins never found a home nor did he master a position. His finest season as a pro player was in 1992, when he latched on with the newly formed expansion team, the Orlando Magic. Higgins averaged 8.6 points per game.

In 1994, the NBA draft began to slowly see a change in how foreign players were evaluated and perceived. The NBA was coming alive with players that, despite playing in foreign basketball leagues, showed they did indeed belong in the limelight that is the NBA. As a result every team searched for the next Vlade Divac, Dino Radja, Drazen Petrovic, and Sarunas Marciulionis.

Zeljko Rebraca had rarities uncommon for a Last Man Standing. There was potential, time to develop, and more importantly, a spot on one of Europe’s most dominant teams, Partizan. At the age of 22, Rebraca exhibited some awesome selling points. During his seven seasons overseas he was generally considered by many to be one of Europe’s best players. Then in 2001, Rebraca finally decided to take his place on basketball’s biggest stage. Although drafted by Seattle, his rights were generally treated as trade filler. He moved between several teams before being waived by the Los Angeles Clippers in April 2007 after being plagued by a back injury. After his exit from the NBA, he signed with Pamesa Valencia in the Spanish basketball league.

Don Reid during his 8 seasons in the NBA

But how is it that a Last Man Standing stays in the NBA longer than ten first round picks? The answer is simple. It's comes by doing the dirty work that no one wants to do and smiling about it. Don Reid is the best Last Man Standing in draft history, playing for three teams during his 8 plus seasons in the NBA. He outlasted eighteen second round players drafted before him. Coming out of Georgetown University, Reid’s prospects for the NBA were marginal at best. Even though he was the team’s captain in his senior year, Reid didn’t get starter minutes on the team roster that included NBA prospects Othella Harrington, Allen Iverson, Jahidi White and Jerome Williams. Say what you will about Reid’s physical skills, but he serves as a reminder that talent is nothing without heart and desire.

Our final Last Man Standing, Maceo Baston, finishes like the first pioneer of this group, Roland West. Baston played more games (16 in all) but unfortunately ended up with the same lackluster results. He was released at the end of his first season. During his formative years at Michigan University, Baston never developed as his prep highlights proclaimed. Armed with only athleticism and long arms, Baston’s team found out quickly how unprepared he was for the NBA. Since his release, Baston has become a steady force in Europe.

So we acknowledge our Last Men. They fought through the training camps against higher profiled teammates, they were low on management’s totem pole, but through hard work, perseverance and never settling, they have found that you can indeed accomplish your dreams. For some, the dream lasts 8 seasons like Don Reid, for others its only 16 games. But all in all, Last Men, you have beat the odds and defied the experts.

As a long time draftnik, nothing is quite as fun and useless as looking at a mock draft. It's purely a mental exercise powered by endless possibilities, debates and sometimes the most ridiculous of projections.

The earliest mock draft relic I unearthed was from 1982. What was once sporadic is now commonplace. Anybody and their momma who has a website can not only provide you with a mock, but now give it to you two years in advance. This led me to an interesting question: What players were projected as first rounders in a mock, but went undrafted? And so the historical study ensured.

Clearly I'm looking for a player's worst moment, when the dream was so close to reality, yet crashed and burned. How cruel of me to re-hash demise? I can assure you there's no malice in this. My intent is to simply illustrate the absurd and often overrated nature of Mock Drafts. The 90's decade gave it to us the worst. Let's check this out...

1990Scott WilliamsPosition: CenterMock Draft Consensus: Mid-Late FirstDespite being a 3-year starter for the University of North Carolina, one of the nation’s premier basketball programs, Williams was passed over on draft night. He was tagged a first round NBA draft pick by many analysts due to his size, productivity and high level of coaching, but disappointing senior year, compounded by a nagging shoulder issue forced Williams draft stock entirely off the board. Seven centers were drafted that draft night. Fourteen years later, all were in and out the league, with Williams playing 106 games more than his nearest draft classmate at his position (Felton Spencer).

1991Melvin CheatumPosition: Small ForwardMock Draft Consensus: Late First to Early SecondCheatum, along with NBA's Robert Horry, James Robinson and Latrell Sprewell, helped lead Alabama to three NCAA tournaments with two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances and three SEC tournament titles. It was Cheatum, not Horry, who was often asked to be the key player in tight situations. In college he often relied on his athleticism, finishing ability, rebounding, solid defensive ability and great running of the floor to produce. Yet as a draft prospect, Cheatum lacked the size and height to be an NBA power forward, and lacked perimeter shooting and passing to be a legit small forward. Being a tweener proved too much for him to overcome on draft night.

Brian ShorterPosition: Small ForwardMock Draft Consensus: Late first to Early SecondComing out of high school Shorter was often ranked among the top 10 players in the nation. This McDonald’s All American did not disappoint, earning Big East Rookie of the Year and two All-Big East 1st team selections. Expectations were high as Shorter headed into his senior year. Pittsburgh was also armed with future draftee Darren Morningstar. But an unusual viral infection plagued Shorter's production and overall ability. As Pitt's medical staff struggled to diagnose the infection, the virus worked its way through Shorter’s system, attacking his muscles to the point where his stamina, upper body strength and leaping ability were severely diminished. To compound issues, Shorter’s lack of height and inability to handle the ball or shoot with range all but sealed his fate on draft night.

1992Joe HarvellPosition: Small ForwardMock Draft Consensus: Late First to Earl SecondHarvell was a scoring machine in the SEC, averaging 25 points a game. He definitely had the look of a potential draftee. He played in a conference that housed 1st round picks like Shaq O’Neal, Robert Horry and Latrell Sprewell. Many felt Harvell was offensively advanced over Horry & Sprewell, but defensively they were better. Harvell stayed, only to clash with a new coach in a new system where he saw his stock take hits that he would never recover from.

1993James ForrestPosition: Power ForwardMock Draft Consensus: Top 15Out of Wake Forest as one of the highest rated prospects in the nation, Forrest came with high expectations and did not disappoint. After an excellent sophomore season where he put on a dominating clinic in the 1993 ACC Tournament, many felt he was an early entry shoe-in, yet Forrest stayed in school and never saw his draft status improve. In the next two years he encountered weight problems and inconsistent play with poor team results. In 1995, at the end of his final collegiate year, Forrest stood by as he watched his teammate, Travis Best, go on to be drafted.

1994Kendrick WarrenPosition: Small ForwardMock Draft Consensus: Late FirstWarren came into little known VCU with a huge high school reputation. The 1990 McDonald’s All American didn't disappoint. His coach, Sonny Smith, had NBA ties as the former head coach of Auburn where he sent Charles Barkley and Chuck Person to the league. At VCU Warren scored 1,858 points with 1,049 rebounds, and still remains VCU's all-time season leader in 5 statistical categories. Yet his shaky perimeter and free throw shooting all sunk his draft status.

1995Scotty ThurmanPosition: Small ForwardMock Draft Consensus: Late First to Early SecondThurman was one of Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson’s best players during their 1994 & 1995 championship runs. Many thought that with Thurman’s silky shooting and fundamentally sound play made him a first round candidate. Unfortunately his lack of defensive ability, quickness and ability to create off the dribble severely hurt Thurman’s stock. With his high profile visibility on one of the nation’s best teams, Thurman was media's poster boy as why you shouldn't leave school early.

One has to wonder if a year earlier could have made the difference. (L to R) Thurman & Forrest

These players had varying degrees of success. Some would love to blame the internet, but online hype didn’t really exist at the time. Instead, players were listed in newspapers, all the way up to the nationally syndicated level. Next we’ll examine 1996-2000, when the internet began to have greater influence on mock drafts.

BIOGRAPHY If you have additional information you would like to contribute to any player profile (i.e. missing stats, biography), please click here. Please be aware that you must have a verifiable source.

BIOGRAPHY If you have additional information you would like to contribute to any player profile (i.e. missing stats, biography), please click here. Please be aware that you must have a verifiable source.